Planning a pregnancy? We’ll see you in September

Women planning a pregnancy this month or next should choose their obstetrician and maternity hospital soon after data released today shows our busiest birth dates are nine months from now.

Our data reveals the busiest months on our maternity wards are September and October.

Over the past five years, St John of God Health Care welcomed 4,931 and 4,932 babies in the months of September and October respectively, which is over 500 more babies than in our quietest month (November).

St John of God Health Care Executive Director WA Hospitals John Fogarty said the figures highlighted what all midwives and obstetricians experienced in the maternity wards.

“September and October is such a busy time for all of our obstetricians and midwives as we welcome hundreds of new babies into the world,” he said.

“Over the past five years we have welcomed an average of 32 babies each day during September and October at our 11 maternity hospitals.

“At our busiest maternity hospital, St John of God Subiaco Hospital, we have averaged almost 10 babies born each day.”

“Across all of our WA maternity hospitals in Subiaco, Murdoch, Mt Lawley, Midland, Geraldton and Bunbury, we have averaged 24 babies born each day during September and October over the past five years.”

St John of God Health Care Executive Director Eastern Hospitals Bryan Pyne said the busy season in September and October also occurred in Victoria.

“Across all of our Victorian maternity hospitals in Berwick, Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo, we have averaged 7 babies born each day during September and October over the past five years," he said.

Mr Pyne recommends that women who are planning a pregnancy or have just found out they are pregnant to start planning their maternity care as soon as possible.

“September and October are not only busy on the wards but for obstetricians as well and some of the most popular doctors get booked out early,” he said.

“If you have just found out you are pregnant or are planning to get pregnant this month, don’t forget to start booking maternity tours and appointments with obstetricians so you can access your first choice in care.

“We have a great online Find a doctor search which lets you browse all of our obstetricians and find a doctor to suit your preferences.”